Kyle Hunt
‘Tis the season for snow, Santa and holiday weight gain. You love the holidays because your family is gathered ‘round and there’s plenty of goodies to snack on. But this year, take caution. According to nutritionists and personal trainers certified by a Utah college, there are five holiday treats you’ll want to avoid this year if you want to lose or maintain weight.
One serving of this popular holiday beverage can have as much as 350 calories and half of the USDA’s suggested daily limit for cholesterol intake. Though the creamy call of this cozy drink may be hard to ignore, do your best.
Most people don’t even like fruit cake, and that’s okay. Personal trainers accredited by a Utah college recommend skipping this tradition treat. With butter, sugar and corn syrup—oh yeah, and fruit—one slice can contain 410 calories.
On their own, sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, beta-carotene, Vitamin C and antioxidants, but add butter, brown sugar and marshmallows and you get up to 400 calories, plus 38 grams of sugar per serving. You can keep this food on your table, just lose the trimmings.
Gingerbread is not just a construction material for miniature houses. When it’s actually eaten, once small piece of gingerbread can have up to 260 calories. Personal trainers and nutritionists from Utah colleges recommend reducing the amount of gingerbread, and other sweets, you consume during the holidays.
Don’t give in to the dark side. Dark turkey meat contains 70 more calories than the white meat and has considerably more fat. On the other hand, white turkey meat is low in fat compared to other meats, plus it’s loaded with B vitamins: B6, B12, niacin and riboflavin.
AmeriTech College specializes in health care education in the medical, dental, fitness, and nursing fields.
